Tobias Strømdahl (Norway)

Junior Division Champion—Gardevoir-GX / Gallade

Many of the Gardevoir-GX decks we've seen include either Sylveon-GX or Diancie. Tobias skips both of those options, but does include Gallade with the Premonition Ability. This works with Octillery's Abyssal Hand Ability to help Tobias draw the cards he wants. Tobias also includes an Acerola, which is uncommon for Gardevoir-GX decks, but it's a strong way to get damaged Pokémon off the playing field.

Minaki Hasegawa (Japan)

Junior Division Runner-up—Gardevoir-GX

Minaki is running one of the more slimmed-down Gardevoir-GX decks: it doesn't have the Diancie, Sylveon-GX, Gallade, or Octillery that we've seen in many other decks here. But it does include Giratina as a defense against Greninja BREAK and its Giant Water Shuriken Ability, which is important to protect the Ralts on his Bench. We don't see Parallel City too often, but its dual effects can help Minaki in a number of ways.

Kabu Fukase (Japan)

Junior Division Semifinalist—Golisopod-GX / Decidueye-GX

Kabu runs a fairly standard Decidueye-GX and Golisopod-GX deck, choosing an even split between the two Grass-type Pokémon lines. With Acerola and Forest of Giant Plants, Kabu can use Decidueye-GX's Feather Arrow Ability, scoop up the Pokémon, then put down the entire line again to use Feather Arrow a second time. He can also use Acerola to return his Active Pokémon to his hand and promote a Benched Golisopod-GX; that Pokémon can then use its First Impression attack for an impressive 120 damage with just one Grass Energy.

William Wallace (United States)

Junior Division Semifinalist—Gardevoir-GX / Xerneas BREAK

William puts an interesting twist on Gardevoir-GX by adding Xerneas BREAK. The two Pokémon work well together, with Xerneas BREAK benefitting from the number of Energy on your own Pokémon, and Gardevoir-GX taking advantage of the Energy on both Active Pokémon. It's been remarkable to see how many different ways players have built winning decks around Gardevoir-GX.

Lucas Mancuso (United States)

Junior Division Quarterfinalist—Drampa-GX / Garbodor

Lucas's Garbodor/Drampa-GX variation has several Pokémon that we don't see a lot in this type of deck. Necrozma-GX has several powerful attacks—including one that synergizes well with the Psychic-type Energy already in the deck—and serves as a solid defense against opposing Drampa-GX. Magearna-EX's Mystic Heart Ability can prevent effects of attacks to any of Lucas’s Pokémon with Metal-type Energy attached, which works well with the Rainbow Energy. At the same time, the Rainbow Energy can help Drampa-GX's Berserk attack reach its potential.

Tsubasa Watanabe (Japan)

Junior Division Quarterfinalist—Garbodor / Golisopod-GX

The combination of Garbodor and Golisopod-GX is one that Japanese players have been trying out prior to Worlds, and Tsubasa found a way to achieve victory with it. Instead of the more recent Garbodor with the Trashalanche attack, this is the Garbodor with the Garbotoxin Ability, which shuts down all other Abilities. Interestingly, Tsubasa does include Acerola in his deck, but does not include Forest of Giant Plants—Acerola is used almost exclusively for healing his Pokémon and to promote Golidospod-GX and use its First Impression attack.

Niko Ishida (Japan)

Junior Division Quarterfinalist—Rainbow Road

Rainbow Road doesn’t get played too often, and perhaps that element of surprise helps with its success. Niko's version includes the Darkness- and Metal-type Bisharp, which not only helps power Xerneas's Rainbow Force attack, but can also strike hard against Gardevoir-GX with its Retaliate attack. With a Choice Band attached, Bisharp can even collect a one-hit knockout against Gardevoir-GX.

Regan Retzloff (United States)

Junior Division Quarterfinalist—Gardevoir-GX / Xerneas BREAK

Regan has been rolling through the 2017 season, picking up top honors in both the Oceania and North American International Championships. His Gardevoir-GX and Xerneas BREAK deck also includes Giratina, whose Devour Light Ability shuts down Abilities on opposing Pokémon BREAK—ideal when facing Greninja BREAK's Giant Water Shuriken.

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